North Rhine-Westphalia Landtag debates 115.5 billion euro budget

The Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia has begun its first reading of the 2027 state budget draft. Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk (CDU) presented a record budget of 115.5 billion euros, representing a 2.9 percent increase over 2026.

Education remains the largest expenditure item, with 44.4 billion euros allocated to schools, universities, and childcare. The budget includes plans for 1,300 new teaching positions. Additionally, the government intends to increase the share of tax revenue for municipalities by 360 million euros, the first such increase in over 50 years.

To fund these priorities, the state plans to take on 5 billion euros in new debt, a move the ruling coalition describes as a necessary response to economic stagnation. Opposition parties, including the SPD and FDP, have criticized the rising debt levels. The state's total debt stood at 171.8 billion euros as of late August, with interest payments for 2027 projected at approximately 4.2 billion euros.